Sliding scales

As part of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation highlighted the recent declines of reptiles globally, and celebrated the importance of native species to our lives and culture. The “Sliding Scales” campaign brought together the many aspects of ARCs work to promote the conservation of snakes.

Snakes often have a bad reputation in the eyes of the public. They are known as being sly and dangerous and have suffered widespread persecution. In fact, snakes are shy, secretive creatures and are more fascinating than they might first appear. In the last few decades, snake populations in this country have suffered massive declines due to habitat loss and persecution. Over the year ARC attempted to rectify negative perceptions and increase awareness of snake conservation issues.

Related

In 2012 a new ground breaking project began, dedicated to the conservation of Welsh dragons (amphibians and reptiles) and the habitats they depend on, funded by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), now Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

The first phase of the Million Ponds Project, funded by the Tubney Trust and Biffaward, reached a successful conclusion. The project, coordinated by Pond Conservation (now Freshwater Habitats Trust) and involving Amphibian and Reptile Conservation as a lead partner, helped to create over 1000 ponds to benefit Biodiversity Action Plan species across England and Wales.

The CLARE project ran between June 2011 and July 2012 and campaigned for a wider public participation and education in wildlife recording and a raised profile and understanding of amphibians and reptiles and their distribution within Greater London.

Promoting Cumbria’s Natterjack Heritage had two main aims; the first was to increase awareness and understanding of natterjack toads and their habitats within the rural community, the second was to build a network of volunteer natterjack toad recorders in Cumbria.